Patents by Inventor Smith

Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8215114
    Abstract: A vapor power generating system for generating power by using heat from a source of heat. The system has a closed circuit for a working fluid, and includes a heat exchanger assembly (1) for heating the fluid under pressure with heat from the source, a separator (8) for separating the vapor phase of the heated fluid from the liquid phase thereof, an expander (14) for expanding the vapor to generate power, a condenser (17) for condensing the outlet fluid from the expander (14), a feed pump (F) for returning condensed fluid from the condenser (17) to the heater and a return path for returning the liquid phase from the separator to the heater. The liquid phase of the working fluid contains a lubricant which lubricant is soluble or miscible in the liquid phase and a bearing supply path (21) is arranged to deliver liquid phase pressurized by the feed pump (F) to at least one bearing for a rotary element of the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: City University
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Smith, Nikola Rudi Stosic, Ahmed Kovacevic
  • Patent number: 8217770
    Abstract: A seat belt monitoring system is provided. The seat belt monitoring system includes a seat belt system. The seat belt system has a first portion including a seat belt webbing and a tongue. The seat belt system also includes a buckle. A radio frequency device is associated with the first portion. The seat belt monitoring system further includes a radio frequency receiver that detects either a signal from the radio frequency device or a particular spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and a second radio frequency device placed near the buckle of the seat belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Messner, Brandon Scott Marriott, Gary Stroik, Paul Michael Smith, Russ Carlton
  • Patent number: 8215694
    Abstract: An ATV includes a removable passenger seat. The passenger seat is selectively added or removed from the ATV by way of a latch assembly. The passenger seat is supported by a pivot support link and a suspension coupling. The pivot support link and suspension coupling may be positioned rearward of a straddle-type seat for a driver. The entire pivot support link can be attached to the ATV in a dampened manner by way of the suspension coupling. The suspension coupling is comprised of at least one element acting in a linear direction and moving in at least a partially vertical travel component. The positioning of the suspension coupling provides greater vertical clearance, and therefore, maximum vertical stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Smith, Richard D. Ripley, Scott D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8219935
    Abstract: A method provides information about stations in an irrigation system which are simultaneously active. An irrigation flow curve image is displayed which summarizes flow information for an irrigation system. The method interacts with a user to receive an indication from a user interface pointing device of a position within a flow curve area of the irrigation flow curve image on the display. The method retrieves detail information for stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at a time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device. Detail information is displayed isolating the stations in the irrigation system which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device, wherein the detail information further individually indicates irrigation activity for stations which are simultaneously active at the time indicated by the position of the user interface pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hunts, Brian J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8218733
    Abstract: An emergency system includes a gateway and a database in communication with the gateway. The database comprises first routing information for establishing a first communication link between a communication device and a controller, second routing information for establishing a second communication link between the gateway and the controller, wherein the second routing information is correlated to the first routing information; and location data associated with the communication device. Upon receiving identification information related to the communication device, the gateway retrieves the first routing information from the database and provides the first routing information to a switch. The gateway retrieves the second routing information from the database and uses the second routing information to establish a second communication link with the controller, and the gateway retrieves the location data from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: James T. Beason, Benjamin V. Smith
  • Patent number: 8216681
    Abstract: A roofing and/or siding material having a resulting reflectivity of at least about 50%. The roofing and/or siding material includes a base sheet/membrane, a reinforcement material and a multi-layer reflective film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Garland Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Mellott, II, Jason D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8217554
    Abstract: An ultrasonic method for removing and/or avoiding unwanted build-up on structures is provided, wherein the term build-up refers to, but is not limited to, ice, dirt, mud, or other wanted debris or contamination. Deicing or anti-icing structures of interest can include, but are not limited to, helicopter rotor blades, other helicopter blade components, fixed wing aircraft components, windshields in aircraft, automobiles, and other vehicles, ship hulls or other ship components, heat exchangers and other tubing where frost or ice could form, air-conditioning components, head lamp and other light coverings, bridge structures and components, and any structure where anti-icing or deicing would be beneficial. One or more ultrasonic actuators permanently embedded or coupled to the structure may be used accomplish the removal. The technique presented herein could also be utilized for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: FBS, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Royer, Jr., Joseph L. Rose, Edward C. Smith, Jose L. Palacios
  • Patent number: 8216604
    Abstract: A composition for the intranasal delivery of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to an animal includes an aqueous solution of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable additive selected from (i) a pectin and (ii) a poloxamer and chitosan or a salt or derivative thereof; provided that when the composition comprises a pectin it is substantially free of divalent metal ions; and which, in comparison to a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at the same dose, provides a peak plasma concentration of fentanyl (Cmax) that is from 10 to 80% of that achieved using a simple aqueous solution of fentanyl administered intranasally at an identical fentanyl dose. A method for treating or managing pain by intranasally administering the composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Archimedes Development Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Watts, Jonathan David Castile, William Columbus Ian Lafferty, Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 8215873
    Abstract: An anchor pile apparatus for placement in subsea soil has a tubular member has an interior passageway, a support structure affixed to the upper end of the tubular member, a shaft rotatably mounted in the support structure and extending downwardly through the interior passageway of the tubular member, and an auger connected to the shaft. A suitable hydraulic torquing tool can be connected to the shaft so as to cause the shaft to rotate for the purpose of rotating the auger. The auger is rotated so as to draw the tubular member into the subsea soil. The tubular member has a plurality of fins extending radially outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario R. Lugo, Randolph G. Smith, Noel F. Mascarenhas
  • Patent number: 8219110
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a mobile device based on an event comprising detecting an occurrence of the event, determining if the event is a specific event and if the event occurred at or near a geographical location and sending an alert of the event to at least one mobile device if the event is the specific event, if the event occurs at or near the geographical location, and if the at least one mobile device is located at or near the geographical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
    Inventors: James N. White, Monica Rose Martino, M. Gregory Smith
  • Patent number: 8215311
    Abstract: One aspect relates to reducing a pressure differential across one or more supporting surfaces of a body surface of an individual at least partially by displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit to at least partially conform to one or more contours of the body surface of the individual. Certain aspects can relate to stabilizing at least the one or more supporting surfaces of the body surface of the individual at least partially with at least one of the at least one displaceable contouring unit Other aspects can relate to relatively displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit with respect to a medical device portion based at least in part on a contour of an individual to support at least a portion of the individual while limiting pressure applied to the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8215820
    Abstract: An LED night-light includes a housing with a threaded, cylindrical opening having an interior surface adapted to receive a threaded end of a light bulb. First and second prongs are supported in parallel by the housing. The prongs have interior ends extending into an interior of the housing and exterior ends extending out of the housing such that the exterior ends are configured to engage an electrical outlet. A disk is received in and supported by a groove in the interior surface. A light-emitting diode (LED) is mounted on the disk. The night-light further includes a circuit board including an LED driver circuit electrically connected to the LED. The driver circuit energizes the LED when the first and second prongs are plugged into an electrical outlet connected to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mary Elle Fashions
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Howard, Jim Riley, Matthew S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8219247
    Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having process tubes and multiple burners where it is desired to conform the temperatures of the process tubes to selected target temperature criterion. The present method provides a systematic and quantitative approach to determine how to adjust burner flow rates to result in desired tube wall temperatures, for example to minimize the temperature deviation between tube wall temperatures at a predetermined elevation in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Esmaili, William Robert Licht, Xianming Jimmy Li, Oliver J. Smith, IV
  • Patent number: 8216349
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fram Group IP LLC
    Inventors: Gary B. Zulauf, Daniel E. Bause, Robert L. Smith, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Richard J. Berkey, Bryon W. Stremler, Peter D. Unger
  • Patent number: 8215171
    Abstract: A ring electrode design that produces a uniform mass sensitivity distribution across a TSM device is presented. A new technique and apparatus to measure this mass sensitivity distribution is also presented. Novel electrode geometries on thickness shear mode (TSM) quartz resonators achieve radial uniformity of mass sensitivity, how receptive the device is to mass loadings, and high frequency stability across the active sensing area of the sensor device. The device allows for absolute mass measurement down to the nanogram level. Fabricated devices utilizing model predictions were tested using this apparatus, and good agreement between theory and experiment is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Allan Smith, Charity F. Smith, legal representative, Venkat R. Bhethanabotla, Anthony J. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8216620
    Abstract: A dual-textured food substrate having large seasoning bits whereby the bits are substantially adhered to the food substrate, or chip with a dry adhesive. The food substrate has a non-particulate second topping that is softer than the food substrate. The underlying cooked food substrate is substantially flat. The food ingredient properties are optimized to provide a shelf-stable dual-textured food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrianna Ashley Heywood, K. Michael King, Richard Todd Smith, Heather Ann Longo
  • Patent number: 8220032
    Abstract: Using an authentication server to discover one or more additional authentication servers and to dynamically establish a trust relationship with the one or more additional authentication servers. The authentication server searches for the one or more additional authentication servers to discover one or more sources of authentication tokens, and inspects an incoming authentication request from the one or more additional authentication servers to determine if the request is carrying one or more authentication tokens from a newly discovered realm. Once the authentication server determines a newly discovered realm to be trustworthy, the authentication server receives a directory schema from the newly discovered realm and compares the received directory schema with a known directory schema retrieved by the authentication server to identify an intersection of the received directory schema and the known directory schema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Brenneman, Michael E. Browne, William J. Huie, Sarah J. Sheppard, Kyle M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8217357
    Abstract: An integrated tomosynthesis/molecular breast imaging device having improved sensitivity includes tomosynthesis imaging components and molecular breast imaging components. The imaging components may be used individually or in combination to provide a system with improved sensitivity and specificity. Molecular imaging components may be smoothly advanced or withdrawn depending upon the desired imaging mode. The system supports both PET and SPECT imaging and enables SPECT collimation to be modified in accordance with image capture requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Stein, Baorui Ren, Andrew P. Smith, Kenneth F. Brooks, Jing Zhenxue, Ian Shaw, Ken DeFreitas
  • Patent number: 8217078
    Abstract: The field involves compositions useful for pain relief, including diclofenac solution and gel formulations, in particular methods of use thereof, articles of manufacture and kits that provide novel preclinical, clinical and other information to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nuvo Research Inc.
    Inventors: Jagat Singh, Joseph Zev Shainhouse, Bradley S. Galer, Robert Dominic King-Smith, Lisa Marie Grierson, Maria Burian, Jonathan Wilkin, Edward T. Kisak, John M. Newsam
  • Patent number: 8219944
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for performing RC extraction from the perspective of the block level. A translation mechanism is employed to convert from a full-chip design domain to a block-level design domain. This allows model-based prediction results to be used in the early design implementation flow when parasitic RC and timing extractions are performed, where the model-based prediction results relate to predictions of manufacturing variations such as thickness and topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Li J. Song, Zhan-Zhong Yao, Rachid Salik, Hao Ji, Taber Smith